Wildlife Extra - Birds

Recent Birds news

More Birds news

Getting close to hen harriers, one of Britain’s most rare and controversial species

New Asian hotspot for pelagic seabirds

Migrating Birds as Prey

Studying some of South East Asia’s rarest seabirds

5:30 AM. Under an overcast sky, a maddening cacophony of birdcalls conveniently served as our alarm clock.

We are bivouacked on the cold, wet sands of Tubbataha North Islet, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Asia's great seabird enclaves.

A close encounter with the Antpittas of Ecuador.

Mercedes Rivadeneira, a bir tour organiser from Ecuador, has a close encounter with an endangered Giant Antpitta.

Planet Earth Live - What is the point?

BBC is considered the best in the world at making wildlife programmes, and rightly so. They have set the standard with pioneering techniques, the best presenters and innovation. Planet Earth Live has none of these qualities, and there appears to be little live about it either.

Another Goshawk nest destroyed in the Derwent Valley

The crime is the latest in a long-running series of attacks on birds of prey in the Peak District. It leaves only one active goshawk nest in the entire Derwent Valley, which previously has held six pairs of these birds of prey.

IUCN quotas

There is much ado about the illegal wildlife trade, but there is also a huge amount of legal trade in wildlife products, some very rare indeed, that is permitted by CITES. Elephant tusks, rhino horn, chameleons, leopard tortoises, and cheetah, lion, & leopard hunting trophies all had CITES export quotas the 2011.

Osprey chicks in UK

'Lady' is back - for her 22nd breeding season. The remarkable female osprey at the Loch of the Lowes has, against all the odds, returned once again. Probably aged 26 years old now, few realistically thought that she would manage two more huge migrations and yet another breeding season, but she has already mated with an unknown osprey. Her regular mate has not showed up - yet anyway.

Northern bald ibis return to nest in Syria

photography/2011 comp/mammal_hare_denness

Winners of The UK Wildlife Photography Awards 2011

The Wildlife Extra UK Wildlife Photography Competition 2011 has been won by Peter Denness with his stunning image of a hare. We don't usually go for black and white images, but Peter's hare was just too good.

CATEGORY WINNERS

- Agnieszka Dymek - Bugs

- Peter Denness - Mammals

- Howard Booty - Birds

- Matthew Oxley - Reptile, Amphibian & Marine Life

- Martin Sothcott - Landscapes

- Lisa Clyma - Under 16s

Lead Bullets – Not a problem – US Hunters have their say

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year winners 2012.

The winners of the internationally respected Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition 2011 have been announced. Young Wildlife Photographer of The Year - 10 Years and Under winner. Alien - By Hui Yu Kim (Malaysia)/ Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2011.

Killer cats - But it is avoidable

Cats kill an estimated 55 million birds in Britain every year and such predation could be contributing to long-term declines of garden birds like House Sparrows.

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Unidentified lark spotted in Ethiopia -

If it turns out that this species is Sidamo Lark then this will be fantastic for the conservation of a critically endangered species, and if it's Archer's Lark - well then, even better, and another bird has been "rediscovered" for science. An alternative hypothesis is that Sidamo and Archer's Larks are actually the same species and that several isolated populations exist.

Hunters contribute billions to conservation efforts

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4 Goshawks poisoned in Devon

Devon and Cornwall Police and the RSPB are appealing for information after four goshawks and one buzzard were found dead in woodland to the west of Exeter.

Two kakapo found dead

Two young female kakapo have been found dead - one on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, off Stewart Island, the other on Anchor Island in Fiordland.

The Urban Birder

The clue is in the name of the book. David Lindo is the self styled ‘Urban Birder' and specialises in birding in towns and cities, and especially in London.
Read full review »

First ospreys fledge at Cors Dyfi in over 400 years

This is the first time that ospreys have successfully bred on the Dyfi since 1604 and marks a milestone in the conservation of ospreys in Wales.

Critically Endangered Northern bald ibis rear two healthy young

For the first time in the last three years the remaining pair has successfully reared two healthy young, which have left the nest and have begun their migration to the highlands of Ethiopia.

WORLD FIRST: Spoon-billed sandpiper chicks hatch in captivity

Second osprey pair breed successfully at Kielder Water

The Northumbrian wilderness becomes the only location in England for over 170 years where more than a single pair of naturally re-colonising ospreys have bred successfully at the same time. The new birds have nested on an artificial platform erected by the Forestry Commission on top of a tall spruce tree.

Egg collection last chance for Critically Endangered Spoon-billed sandpiper

Under gruelling conditions and amid fears it might be too late, a conservation breeding team in the remote Russian Far East has collected a clutch of spoon-billed sandpiper eggs, signalling an incredible step towards safeguarding the species from extinction.

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Emperor penguin appears on New Zealand beach

Locals in New Zealand were very surprised to find a 1 metre tall penguin on a North Island beach as the largest resident penguins in New Zealand, yellow-eyed penguins, grow to a maximum of just 65 centimetres.

Fierce fire destroys Upton Heath wildlife

On what will be remembered as a black day for wildlife, an estimated one third of one of the most important wildlife sites in England was devastated by fire. Dorset Wildlife Trust's Upton Heath nature reserve, recognised internationally for the extreme rarity of habitat and wildlife, was engulfed by the biggest heath fire in decades just at the peak of the bird and reptile breeding season.

Rutland osprey missing - feared shot

Staff from Anglian Water and the Rutland Osprey Project fear an osprey has been shot in Rutland. The missing bird was the first to return to the site from its African wintering grounds after being released in Rutland, as part of the Rutland Osprey Project.

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Birding on Alderney

Alderney, at just 3 square miles, has more than 270 species of birds recorded amonst its very diverse habitats, and is particularly well know for its gannets and puffins.

Read more about the birds of Alderney and how to see them

New sightings claimed for Ivory-Billed woodpecker

New audio recordings and videos of birds with characteristics consistent with the Ivory-billed Woodpecker have been claimed by Dr Michael Collins. The footage was obtained near the Pearl River in Louisiana, where there is a history of unconfirmed reports of this species.

Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book

Written by a birdwatcher, for birdwatchers about birdwatchers, Oddie is adhering to the maxim that only Jewish comedians can make Jewish jokes by being a birder/twitcher laughing at birders & twitcher.
Read full review »

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Tanzania pressing ahead with Serengeti Highway and Lake Natron soda plant

Despite the German government offering to fund a study into an alternative route for the Serengeti Highway, the Tanzanian Government seems to be pressing ahead with its plans, as well as fast tracking the development of the soda ash plant at Lake Natron, the only breeding site for Greater flamingo in East Africa.

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$40,000 to hunt an elephant and you can import the ivory legally into UK!

We are absolutely disgusted to find out that it is still legal to import ivory and rhino horn into the UK, as hunting trophies!

Lake Eyre floods for the third year in a row.

For the third year in a row, floodwaters are filling the once dormant Lake Eyre in South Australia, on an even bigger scale than in 2009 and 2010.

Extraordinary 26 year old osprey has returned to Loch of the Lowes for 21st year

The Scottish Wildlife Trust has confirmed that the osprey thought to be oldest breeding female of its kind ever recorded in the UK (Or probably anywhere) has returned for the 21st consecutive year to the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve in Perthshire.

First ospreys arrive back in the UK

The ospreys are back. EJ has arrived at Loch Garten, and the romantically named 03(97) is back at his nest at Rutland Water, and other ospreys have been sighted all over the UK, but as yet there is now sign of the 'Lady of the Loch', the amazing 25 year old bird from The Loch of the Lowes.

New sea bird discovered off Chile

A new species of seabird has been found, the first new sea bird found for 55 years, and the first new storm-petrel for 89 years.

New bird discovered in Madagascar

The very worst kind of conservation

A charity called Songbird Survival (SS) has launched an appeal for £88,000 that will ‘examine the impact of corvid removal on farmland songbird productivity.' In other words, they apparently want to kill as many corvids as possible in the hope that this will boost songbird numbers.

Where to Watch Birds in Britain - Second edition

The familiar format contains 34 new sites, giving a total of 454, now including 5 sites on the Isle of Wight. Each site now has a grid reference to aid those of you who are GPS dependent, and there is also a list of 100 birds you might want to see and the best places to see them.
Read full review »

Why is Herefordshire ignored by national conservation bodies? RSPB, we need you.

There are no RSPB reserves, no WWT reserves, and no National Parks. To my surprise, I have discovered that there are 3 National Nature Reserves in Herefordshire, covering just 200 hectares between them, but 2 of them are permanently closed to the public.

Why is Herefordshire ignored by national conservation bodies? RSPB, we need you.

Iraq’s Marshes recovering, but now under threat again.

Saddam Hussein attempted to destroy the marshes by draining them and denying them of water, and he nearly succeeded. After Saddam's fall, work started to restore the marshes, and by 2007 more than 50% of the marshes had been restored, but now the proportion of restored marshland has dropped to nearer 30%. The wildlife resurgence is under threat, and the Marsh Arabs who have returned face the prospect of having to leave again.

Golden eagle poisoned in Ireland

There has been outrage at the poisoning of a golden eagle in Ireland; The bird was poisoned with the outlawed chemical, Carbofuran.

Feral cats kill 480 million birds in US every year - Responsible for 33 extinctions

Feral cats in the USA are devastating wildlife and costing the economy as much as $17 billion.

Sea eagle numbers reach new levels in Scotland

The Scottish population passed the 50 breeding pairs milestone and produced more young per pair than in any other year since their reintroduction 35 years ago.

Winners of Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year announced

The much coveted title of Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year was awarded to Hungarian photographer Bence Máté from Pusztaszer for his image A marvel of ants, a simple shot that captures the complexity of the behaviour of leaf-cutter ants in the Costa Rican rainforest.

Severn Barrage abandoned

A barrage like the one proposed between Cardiff and Weston-super-Mare would not only destroy huge areas of estuary marsh and mudflats used by 69,000 birds each winter and block the migration routes of countless fish, but, as confirmed by this report, it would dramatically increase risk of flooding to residential properties.

21 Cranes released onto the Somerset Levels

So, the day in question finally arrived and it was time to release the cranes. Although it was a bit more blustery than we might have liked, we decided that, because of the nature of the release site and the bird's clear attachment to their grey suited parents and release site, things would be ok.

Bird book reviews

AA/BTO Birds of Britain and Europe

Collins Bird Guide - 2nd edition

Birdcrime still on the rise in the UK – 384 reported incidents in 2009

2009 was another shocking year for the persecution of birds of prey with incidents of shooting, trapping and poisoning, according to the RSPB's 20th annual Birdcrime report.

Catastrophic forest fire delivers huge blow to Europe’s rarest seabird

A massive forest fire on the island of Madeira has killed several breeding adults and 65% of this year's chicks of the Endangered Zino's Petrel.

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First sighting of purple heron chicks confirm UK wildlife first

It's a sight wildlife lovers have been waiting for - the first purple heron chick ever to be raised successfully in the UK has taken its first flight and is learning to fend for itself. But is this news good or bad as it is further evidence of global warming?

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Worst year on record for bird poisoning in Scotland – 2009

2009 marked the highest number of confirmed poisoning incidents discovered in a single year in Scotland in the past two decades, according to an annual report by RSPB Scotland.

Mega rare white-tailed plover turns up at WWT Slimbridge

With only a handful of records in the UK ever - one of which at WWT Caerlaverock, Dumfriesshire in 2007, WWT Slimbridge has just confirmed the sighting of a white-tailed plover on the reserve in Gloucestershire.

Lake Eyre floods for the second year in a row.

Following last year's spectacular sight as floodwaters filled the once dormant Lake Eyre in South Australia, the remarkable natural phenomenon is occurring for a second consecutive year, on an even bigger scale.

Purple herons breed for the first time in the UK

The first purple herons ever to breed successfully in the UK have hatched their chicks on the RSPB's Dungeness Nature Reserve in Kent. It is not yet known how many chicks have hatched and confirmation will only be possible when the young fledge in a few weeks time.

Four Great bustard chicks hatch in the wild in the UK

One of the most spectacular birds on the planet, the Great Bustard looks set to consolidate its return to the UK with the news that four chicks hatched so far this year and that there are 4 confirmed nests.

Lost World - The marine realm of Aldabra & the Seychelles

One of the best books we have seen for a long time, with some extraordinary underwater images as well as some fantastic bird shots.
Read full review »

Alaotra grebe declared extinct and 12.5% of bird species declared endangered

New species of pigeon, spike-nosed frogs and world’s smallest wallaby found in New Guinea

The array of new species includes several new mammals, a reptile, an amphibian, no fewer than twelve insects.

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Six eagles and nine buzzards amongst twenty one raptors poisoned across Britain & Ireland

A horrific total of 6 eagles, 10 buzzards, 3 red kites, a Peregrine falcon and a sparrowhawk have all been poisoned in recent weeks across Ireland, England and Scotland. And these are just the ones that we know about and have been discovered.

20 National Wildlife Refuges threatened by Louisiana oil spill

With as many as 20 National Wildlife refuges threatened by the oil spill, and rare and endangered species such as sea turtles, manatee, sea birds (including brown pelicans) and Gulf sturgeon all in danger, USFWS have launched a series of measures to try to mitigate the dire consequences of such a large spill in such an environmentally sensitive area.

Critically Endangered Orange-bellied parrot on the brink of extinction

Osprey update 2010 - First ospreys arrive back in the UK

The bird thought to be oldest breeding female of its kind ever recorded in the UK returned for the 20th consecutive year to the Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve, astonishing wildlife experts.

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UK wildlife photography competition 2010

The UK has some fantastic wildlife, and we want you to get out and photograph it. It costs nothing to enter, but there are 6 cameras, wildlife artwork, wildlife photography books and a £500 donation to a UK wildlife charity on offer. Entry is free.

75 starlings die in mystery crash landing

Mystery surrounds the death of 75 starlings which crashed to the ground and died on a single driveway in Somerset.

New population of a rare and endangered Long-Whiskered owlet found in Peru

The Long whiskered owlet, one of the rarest birds in the world, has been filmed and photographed in January 2010 in the Neotropical Primate Conservation (NPC) main research area, La Esperanza, in Peru.

Collins Bird Guide - 2nd edition

The long awaited second edition of Collins Bird Guide is now here. Covering Britain and Europe, the second edition has been update and revamped. Distribution maps have been updated allowing for recent bird movements; the text has been expanded and new illustrations have been included - There are now 3500 illustrations!

Click Collins Bird Guide to read more

Are Sea eagles coming back to Suffolk? Vote on what you think should happen

In any debate about conservation, it is always important to discount 10% of the arguments at either end of the range, as some people will support all conservation, no matter what the cost or practicalities, and others would complain about spending 5 Euros to save the last elephant. Somewhere in the middle is a rational debate and, usually, the right answer.

Unusual birdlife in residence after just 1 year at Saltholme

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New bird species found in Heart of Borneo

A bird species new to science, The "Spectacled Flowerpecker," has been discovered in the heart of the Bornean rainforest. However, so little is known about the bird that that it has yet to be given a scientific name.

418 species of bird recorded in Britain in 2008

With up to 418 species of bird spotted in Britain, 2008 is looking likely to smash records for the number of bird species seen within a single year.

New bird species discovered in Laos

Named the "limestone leaf warbler" because it breeds in Laos's limestone karst environments, it is similar to other warblers in this area of Southeast Asia, except for its distinct vocalizations and slight morphological differences.

UK wildlife photography competition - 2009 - results

Successful wildlife and wilderness photography does not necessarily involve long flights and equally long immigration queues. The inaugural Wildlife Extra UK wildlife photography competition is not only a fabulous example of just how beautiful the British Isles are, but also that it does not need a fat pay cheque to seduce talented photographers into wanting their work displayed. There are no remote cameras involved (yes, that is a dig) and no ludicrous Photoshop sorcery either, just a litany of belting images.

New drug threat to Asian vultures – Edging them towards extinction

For every 1000 Oriental white-backed vultures occurring in southern Asia in the 1980s only one remains today because of the lethal effects of diclofenac - a drug used to treat livestock - on vultures. Alarmingly, researchers looking into safe alternatives have now identified that a second, livestock treatment in Asia - ketoprofen - is also lethal to the birds.

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Wildlife trade raping Africa – Hundreds of species for sale on the internet

We were recently approached by a Tanzanian wildlife dealer, offering us an eye-wateringly wide range of species. Although it is not currently legal to import wild birds into the UK (This was not implemented with any thought for wildlife, but because of bird flu.), it is still legal in many countries.

New method for counting birds and other species revealed

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Madagascar Pochard - The world’s rarest ducklings hatched in captive breeding programme

A complicated and challenging mission to a remote lake in Madagascar has resulted in a huge step being taken in efforts to save the world's rarest duck from extinction.

world/Asia/october_2009/panay_monitor_laman

Biodiversity loss shows no signs of slowing down - IUCN

The 2009 Red List, issued by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, shows more than one-third (36 percent) of the 47,677 species assessed are threatened with extinction.

Long feared extinct, rare crow rediscovered in Indonesia

The Banggai Crow was thought to be extinct until Indonesian biologists finally secured two new specimens on Peleng Island in 2007.

Critically endangered Jerdon’s Courser seen for the first time for several years

The birds, a nocturnal ground bird found in scrub jungles, were seen in the heart of the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary.

Desperate year for Northern bald ibis as birds are shot and electrocuted

One of the last remaining wild birds in the Middle East has been shot by a hunter in Saudi Arabia.

Shocking bird slaughter continues in Malta – Mass bird graveyard found including 34 Marsh harriers

The carcasses of 76 protected birds have been found in Malta, concealed under stones and rubbish.

New species of ‘bald’ bird discovered in Laos

A previously unknown and very unusual songbird with a bald head has been discovered in a rugged region in Laos.

birds/Birds_april_09/eagle_golden_poison_rspb

Golden eagle poisoned in West Scotland

Strathclyde Police officers have carried out an extensive search of Beinn Udlaidh in the Glen Orchy area of Argyll following the discovery of a dead golden eagle.

Ospreys breed in Northumberland for first time in over two centuries

For the first time in at least 200 years ospreys are nesting and are believed to have hatched chicks in Northumberland.

The First Great Bustard chicks hatch in the UK for 177 years

For the first time since 1832, the Great Bustard - one of Europe's most threatened birds - has nested in the UK with two separate females successfully hatching chicks.

More birds are critically endangered than ever before – Now 1227 species

BirdLife International's latest evaluation of the world's birds has revealed that more species than ever are threatened with extinction. A staggering 1,227 species (12%) are now classified as Globally Threatened but the good news is that when conservation action is put in place, species can be saved.

Vast reserve to protect remote Prince Edward Islands in the Southern Ocean

South Africa's is to establish one of the world's largest Marine Protected Area's (MPA) around its Prince Edward Islands. This is an achievement of global importance which will help protecting a suite of spectacular wildlife, including albatrosses, penguins and killer whales.

Detailed study predicts Africa’s first bird extinction looming

The Sidamo lark, confined to the Liben Plain grassland in southern Ethiopia, is critically endangered by bush encroachment, permanent settlement and agricultural conversion.

New species of White-eye discovered in the Solomon Islands

The discovery of a new bird to science in a distant archipelago is providing evidence of how, in the absence of competitors, unique species can evolve rapidly to fill empty niches.

Lake Eyre filling up for the first time in 10 years – wildlife spectacle

The world's largest salt lake, Lake Eyre in South Australia is once again bursting into life as Queensland floodwaters flow along normally dormant creeks and rivers to reach Australia's lowest point, 15 metres below sea level.

Extinct bird, not seen for 100 years, photographed and eaten in The Philippines

Long lost kakapo rediscovered after 21 years

A male kakapo last seen 21 years ago on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, just off Stewart Island, has been rediscovered, adding his genetics to the small but increasing kakapo population.

Chris Packham - Ecological cleansing

Chris Packham writes about exterminating invasive species - or not. Perfection is beautiful, but extremely rare, and the ever increasing scrutiny of anything tending to it invariably reveals a flaw.

Wildlife news letters

See all our past newsletters.

3 Northern bald ibis poisoned in Jordan

Three of the world's rarest birds have been found poisoned in a remote Jordanian desert hundreds of miles from their breeding grounds in Turkey.

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World's rarest cockatoo rediscovered in Indonesia

90 years after it was first discovered, Abbott's Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo has been rediscovered in Indonesia

A Life of Ospreys

Written by Roy Dennis. What Diane Fossey is to gorillas and David Shepherd is to Elephants, Roy Dennis is to ospreys.
Read full review »

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A record 18 osprey chicks fledged in the Scottish borders in 2008

A record number of 18 osprey chicks have successfully fledged in the Scottish Borders this season.

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Satellite tagged Loch Garten osprey ditches in Atlantic

One of two young ospreys from the famous Loch Garten nest has died during his first migration.

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Common birds declining worldwide – Indication of deteriorating environment

Common birds are declining worldwide, providing evidence of a rapid deterioration in the global environment that is affecting all life on earth - including human life.

Spoonbills breed in Scotland for the first time

A pair of spoonbills have successfully bred for the first time in Scotland and only the second time in the UK. An adult pair have raised and fledged three chicks on Kirkcudbright Bay in Dumfries and Galloway.

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New Forest Robin bird species discovered in Gabon

The newly discovered olive-backed forest robin (Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus) was named by the scientists for its distinctive olive back and rump.

Chris Packham asks –‘What’s the point of nature reserves?’

Without nature reserves we would have nowhere to go on Sundays to meet fellow minded geeks and discuss the minutiae of our passions. We wouldn't be able to stand hands on hips and smugly gaze at a living representation of what we imagine our green and pleasant landscape once looked like.

Major Kenyan wetlands to be sacrificed for biofuels

The Kenyan government has approved a controversial plan to grow biofuel crops on an internationally important coastal wetland.

New species of bird discovered in China

A new bird species of bird has been discovered in China near the border with Vietnam.

Another new bird species from Colombia

Another new bird has been discovered in the Serranía de los Yariguíes mountains in Colombia, a subspecies of the Pale-bellied Tapaculo.

Government may lift bird import ban

Despite Tony Blairs promise to ban the import of wild birds permanently, the government has recently revealed that the ban may only be temporary.

Seabird, Not Seen For 80 Years, Photographed off Papua New Guinea

Extinct seabird rediscovered off Papua New Guinea.

Zululand Birding Route celebrates ten years

One of Africa’s most established and celebrated ecotourism initiatives, the Zululand Birding Route (ZBR), celebrated its 10th anniversary this weekend.

Hornbill Conservation in Thailand - Poacher to Gamekeeper.

How the dedicated work of one woman has saved several species of hornbill from extinction in Thailand.

New species of bird discovered in Colombia.

The Yariguies Brush-Finch was found in a remote mountain range by and Anglo - Colombian team, it is notable for it's striking colouration.

Two Sightings of Northern Bald Ibis in Middle East Bring a Spark of Hope

Sightings of this incredibly rare bird in Djibouti and Ethiopia have raised hope that it might avoid extinction.

Record Numbers of White-shouldered Ibis found in Cambodia

A large flock of white-shouldered ibis, one of the world's rarest birds, has been spotted in Cambodia.

Unique wader threatened with extinction

This unique shorebird from the far east has seen its population drop by 80% in the last 30 years to just 400 pairs.

'Extinct' dove breeds at London Zoo.

A Socorro dove, extinct in the wild for 30 years, has bred for the first time at London Zoo.

Doubts raised over Australian ´New Parrot` claims.

Doubts have been raised over the claimed discovery of a new species of Fig parrot in Queensland.

Lake Oloidien flamingos

The lake has only recently become saline enough for the bacteria that the flamingos rely on for food to exist.

US Army project foiled by Ivory-billed woodpecker.

A judge in the US has ordered a halt to a US army engineering scheme that would have taken billions of gallons of water from the swapms where the Ivory-billed woodpecker is thought to be clinging on.

Rare Sumatra Ground Cuckoo caught on camera in Sumatra

Reserachers from Kent University were amazed to find the had photographed a Sumatra Ground Cuckoo while conducting a tiger survey in Sumatra. It is only the second time it has been recorded in the last 90 years.

New species of bird discovered in India

A new colourful, but very rare babbler has been discovered in the mountain forests of North East India.

Starving seabirds being found across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Staff at RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage are concerned about the number of common guillemots that have been found dead or dying.

16 bird species saved from extinction 1994 - 2004.

16 of the world's rarest birds were saved from extinction between 1994 - 2004.

The Middle East's rarest bird fitted with satellite tags.

Three Northern bald ibis, thought extinct in the Middle East until 2002, have been satellite tagged in an attempt to discover where they spend the winter.

'Extinct' Madagascar Pochard re-discovered

The Madagascar pochard, thought extinct since 1990, has been found alive and well. 9 adults and 4 young were seen by researchers.

The world's least known bird, the Large-billed Reed-warbler, rediscovered.

The Large-billed reed warbler, previously only known from 1 specimen collected in India in 1867, has been rediscovered in Thailand.

South Island kokako declared extinct

The South Island Kokako has been officially declared extinct by New Zealand authorities.

Stunning new hummingbird species discovered in Colombia

A stunning new species of hummingbird has been discovered in Colombia, but it needs urgent protection.

Caatinga Woodpecker rediscovered in Brazil after an 80 year absence.

The Caatinga woodpecker, only known from a single 1926 specimen, has been rediscovered in Brazil.

Only breeding female Golden eagle in Scottish Borders poisoned.

A joint investigation by Lothian and Borders Police, RSPB Scotland, the Scottish SPCA and the Scottish Executive discovered poisoned bait on a grouse moor in the Borders.

UK government announces 12 large scale 'wildlife zones'

New population of one of the world’s rarest birds discovered in Colombia

An expedition in northwestern Colombia by the conservation organization Fundación ProAves has discovered two previously unknown colonies of one of the world's rarest, most endangered birds - the Baudo Oropenduala (Psarocolius cassini).

UK Ospreys 2009 - First osprey chick in Dumfries in living memory

Latest news. Chicks have hatched, including the first osprey chick in Dumfries in living memory; and Loch Garten ospreys out of danger after freeing themselves from fishing line. 2007 Lake District osprey chick at Leighton Moss.

Golden Eagle chicks hatch in Ireland’s Glenveagh National Park

A pair of Golden Eagles has hatched 2 young chicks in Glenveagh National Park, County Donegal in Ireland. This same pair reared a chick in 2007, but failed to breed in 2008.

Hen harrier. Persecution is prime cause of disappearance, says Natural England – Could be reintroduced to new areas

Detailed monitoring work since 2002 has shown that the critically low breeding numbers and patchy distribution of the hen harrier in England is a result of persecution - both in the breeding season, and at communal roosts in the winter - especially on areas managed for red grouse or with game rearing interests.

WildCare scheme boosting rare birds on UK farms

Figures released by the wildlife habitat scheme, WildCare, show that declining species such as brown hares, yellowhammers and even the humble house sparrow are making a dramatic comeback on participating farms.

Severn Estuary tidal reef cheaper and more efficient than barrage

White-tailed sea eagles to be released in Norfolk?

The magnificent sea eagle could make a return along the Norfolk coast next summer if a proposed re-introduction scheme gets the go ahead.

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Corncrake found in Manchester car park

. A corncrake found wandering around a restaurant car park in Manchester in September, has been given a safe haven at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve near Fakenham

Great bustards released on Salisbury Plain

The Great Bustard Group released 19 birds on Salisbury Plain at the end of September, the fifth annual release that is part of the UK reintroduction project scheduled to continue until 2013.

Breeding failure prompts captive breeding proposal for Syria’s Northern Bald ibis

One of the world's rarest wild birds, the Northern bald ibis, should be supplemented with captive bred stock.

Bird crime stats jump 40%

July 2008. Reported crimes against birds of prey escalated to an unwelcome record in 2007, increasing by 40 per cent on 2006.

Golden eagle persecution preventing the bird’s recovery in England and Scotland

Study shows that persecution of Golden eagles is halting their recovery in Scotland and is thwarting the bird's return to northern England.

Dwarf woodpecker and legless lizard among 14 new species discovered in Cerrado region of Brazil

April 2008. An expedition to a remote region of Brazil has lead to the discovery of a legless lizard and a tiny woodpecker along with 12 other suspected new species in Brazil.

Campaign of cruelty to Birds Continues in East Sussex

After last week’s report of 5 gulls being shot in Sussex, we have today (April 21st) received 2 further reports of appalling cruelty from the Hastings/Eastbourne area.

New Bird Species Recognised in Colombia, May Already be Extinct

A new bird species, the Antioquia Brush-Finch or Atlapetes blancae – has been described as a result of studies supported by Fundación ProAves in Colombia.

Garden Birds in Sharp Decline Across Europe

An analysis of 124 of Europe’s common birds has revealed that over a 26-year period 56 species (45 percent) have declined across 20 European countries.

Black Grouse turn the corner in England as numbers climb above 1000.

Although times have been hard for the Black grouse, conservationists hope that the species may have turned the corner after years of decline thanks to more sensitive land management.

A DISTINCTIVE NEW SPECIES OF TYRANT FLYCATCHER (PASSERIFORMES: TYRANNIDAE: CNIPODECTES) FROM SOUTHEASTERN PERU

The bird, a 'Rufuous Twistwing' was first found in 1992, but only recently recognised as a new species.

Very rare 'Leucistic' moorhens seen in the UK.

We have now been sent 4 photos of different leucistic moorhens in the UK. Leucism is very rare and to have four birds in the country simultaneously is highly unusual.

$50,000 Reward For Locating Live Ivory-billed Woodpecker

The Nature Conservancy have increased the reward for finding an Ivory-billed woodpecker to $50,000. Get your Binocs out!

Glossy ibis flock arrives at Slimbridge.

Usually only seen in the UK every 5 years, a flock of seventeen have recently settled at Slimbridge.

Reward offered for Golden eagle killers.

In separate incidents, 2 Golden eagles have been found poisoned in Scotland, and anonymous donors have offered a £5,000 reward in each case for information leading to the conviction of the killers.

Bearded tits thriving in Lancashire.

Bearded tits are thriving at RSPB Leighton Moss thanks to some innovative conservation work.

Cranes breed in the Fens for the first time in 400 years

May 2007. Cranes have been found breeding in the Fens of East Anglia for the first time in 400 years.

Grey-headed albatrosses on the brink in Australia

The sole population of Grey headed albatross left in Australia is under severe threat from competition with eveasive species such as rabbits.

New Golden Eagle viewing scheme launched in Scotland

For the first time in Scotland one of the country's most enthralling wildlife spectacles is to be included as the centrepiece of an exciting new visitor attraction, which opened to the public on 1st April 2007.

news/AvocetsandchicksJustindeVilleneuve2006medium

Rare Waders Successfully Breed in London

Four rare Avocet chicks hatched on Saturday 17 June 2006 at the WWT London Wetland Centre .in Barnes, South West London – the closest breeding location to central London since records began.

First mainland breeding population of takahe to be established in the North Island New Zealand.

Two highly endangered takahe have been introduced to a special enclosure in the Maungatautari reserve in New Zealand.

Rare chance to see a Kakapo.

The Ulva Island trust is offering a chance to see one of the worlds rarest birds, the kakapo, on Ulva Island, as well as the chance to see some of the other rare birdlife there, such as the weka.

Squacco heron in London

A Squacco heron, a very unusual sight in the UK, has taken up residence in London.

Great Bustards in the UK

The thrid batch of Great bustard eggs is due to arrive shortly from Russia, and many of last years hatchlings have returned to the project site.

Great Bustards nest again in UK after 175 years wait

Earlier this spring a female Great Bustard from the Great Bustard Group (GBG) reintroduction trial in Wiltshire nested and laid two eggs. Due to fears of egg thieves and disturbance from bird watchers, the announcement was delayed and the location of the nest is being kept secret.

Bitterns breeding in the Fens for the first time for 70 years

September 2007. The recovery of the bittern, took a small step forward with news that, despite flood problems, male bitterns were recorded at more sites than any other year since 1990.

Wallasea Island to be transformed with Crossrail spoil

Crane love raises hopes of successful species re-introduction

Common crane touches down at Pensthorpe, bonds with Pensthorpe crane.

Cirl buntings re-introduced into Cornwall.

The rare Cirl bunting was reduced to just a few hundred pairs in south Devon, but they have now been re-introduced into Cornwall.

Lady of the Loch

Lady, as she has become know, is a remarkable 25-year-old bird (Ospreys live on average just 8 years), that has raised 48 chicks so far, at Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve. - This is her story.

More details

Where to watch birds in Dorset, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight. 4th Edition

This is an updated guide to the best birding spots in the area
Read full review »

Birds of Ghana

Birds of Ghana

The one thing that always puzzled me about Ghana is that so few people visit. For the average traveller I would rate Ghana as one of the best places to visit in the world; for a birder it is an absolute must.

Read full review »

Where to watch birds in Ethiopia

I once took a trekking group to the Bale Mountains and the keen birders in the group had recorded some 350 species f bird after 1 week. We then had a week visiting other areas of Ethiopia, and I remember very clearly sitting outside our hotel in Lalibela (Home of the world famous rock hewn churches) as around 2 dozen Lammergeiers circled around our heads.
Read full review »

Wildlife watching in Spain

Wildlife of Spain
IberiaNature.com (nothing to do with Wildlife Extra, but very good) has a very good guide to the wildlife of Spain.

Golden Eagles in Ireland 2008.

The latest update on the status of Ireland's Golden eagle population.

Golden Eagles in Ireland 2008

White-tailed sea eagles introduced into Eastern Scotland - one shot dead.

Following the news that White-tailed sea eagles are thriving in northwest Scotland, they have been introduced onto the east coast. However since their introduction, 2 have been electrocuted, and one has been shot on a grouse estate.

Sumatra Ground Cuckoo photographed.

Reserachers from Kent University were amazed to find the had photographed a Sumatra Ground Cuckoo while conducting a tiger survey in Sumatra. It is only the second time it has been recorded in the last 90 years. Full story.

Bird watching articles.

Rare Birds Year Book 2009 Photo Competition

A new photo competition has just been launched for photos of the rarest birds in the world, those categorized as Critically Endangered, to be featured in the next edition of Rare Birds Yearbook which is due in October 2008.

Details.

Avian Reintroduction Biology: current issues for science and management - symposium

Avian Reintroduction Biology: current issues for science and management - symposium
	8 - 9 May 2008. click here.

Reader offer. The world's most powerful binoculars

Sunagor are offering Wildlife Extra readers a chance to buy a pair of the world's most powerful binoculars, the Sunagor 25-150 X 70 Megazoom, for just £199.99 (RRP £399.99).

Click here to read the review or to buy.

Bird links

Fundacion Proaves. Protecting and discovering the bird life of Colombia.

Dean Birders. Disabled Forest of Dean birders.

Birdwatch Ireland. Conserving birds in Ireland.

England nature

Read about the nature of England, and see a guide to nature reserves in England.
Click here to see more about English Nature

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